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Cooperative Learning
What is Cooperative Learning?
Cooperative Learning is a method of arranging students into small groups to complete projects or assignments. However, cooperative learning is more than just "group work". Cooperative learning is defined by inclusion of five basic elements - Positive Interdependence, Face to Face Interaction, Individual Accountability, Social Skills, and Group Processing. Students work with each other, maximizing each student's strengths to further understanding of subject material. Each student has a role to perform within the group and all students must participate.
Why Is Cooperative Learning Effective?
Cooperative Learning is effective because it creates environments where students are actively involved in learning and assisting classmates in a way that promotes engagement with the subject material. Students have the opportunity to provide encouragement and feedback to peers, as well as a chance to reflect on their own work within the group. Individual effort and overall group achievement are both goals when working collaboratively. Also, students are learning valuable social skills needed in their adult lives. Here are some of the social benefits of cooperative learning, found on the Saskatoon Public School Division website:
Enhances the practice and skill in using pro-social behavior, problem solving, and promotes democratic values.
Helps to build a positive classroom climate, group relations, self esteem, positive attitudes toward learning, school, and collaboration.
Group goals assist in developing positive interdependence and accountability.
Students learn to promote each others' learning by sharing, assisting, and encouraging each other.
Promotes feelings of belonging, acceptance, and caring.
Reduces stress.
Findings indicate that people who cooperate learn to like each other.
Promotes better social relationships between students with disabilities and their peers.
Examples of Cooperative Learning Strategies
In the Jigsaw Method, students are formed into "expert groups" where each group is assigned one part of a lesson. The students work in their groups to become experts on that portion of the lesson, then are moved into their "jigsaw groups" which consist of one member of each expert group. They then teach each other each of their portions of the lesson. This allows for more engaged learning, because students get a sense of ownership over the material.
In the Think, Pair, Share method, the teacher will pose a question to the students. Students will think about the question, then break into groups to discuss the question, then finally give answers to the teacher. This method allows for the students to explore their understanding of a topic before answering, taking some of the risk out of participating for those who are reserved in doing so.
Tips for Successful Cooperative Learning Implementation
Keep groups small - 3-5 students is ideal.
Change the way groups are mixed often.
Set expectations for positive student interaction/participation ahead of time.
Assign (or have students assign) roles for each member of the group.
Cooperative Learning
What is Cooperative Learning?
Cooperative Learning is a method of arranging students into small groups to complete projects or assignments. However, cooperative learning is more than just "group work". Cooperative learning is defined by inclusion of five basic elements - Positive Interdependence, Face to Face Interaction, Individual Accountability, Social Skills, and Group Processing. Students work with each other, maximizing each student's strengths to further understanding of subject material. Each student has a role to perform within the group and all students must participate.Why Is Cooperative Learning Effective?
Cooperative Learning is effective because it creates environments where students are actively involved in learning and assisting classmates in a way that promotes engagement with the subject material. Students have the opportunity to provide encouragement and feedback to peers, as well as a chance to reflect on their own work within the group. Individual effort and overall group achievement are both goals when working collaboratively. Also, students are learning valuable social skills needed in their adult lives. Here are some of the social benefits of cooperative learning, found on the Saskatoon Public School Division website:Examples of Cooperative Learning Strategies
In the Jigsaw Method, students are formed into "expert groups" where each group is assigned one part of a lesson. The students work in their groups to become experts on that portion of the lesson, then are moved into their "jigsaw groups" which consist of one member of each expert group. They then teach each other each of their portions of the lesson. This allows for more engaged learning, because students get a sense of ownership over the material.
In the Think, Pair, Share method, the teacher will pose a question to the students. Students will think about the question, then break into groups to discuss the question, then finally give answers to the teacher. This method allows for the students to explore their understanding of a topic before answering, taking some of the risk out of participating for those who are reserved in doing so.
Tips for Successful Cooperative Learning Implementation